Mussel of the Month

The December 2013 Mussel of the Month is Plethobasus cyphyus. Plethobasus is a genus of three species in the Interior Basin of Eastern North America.

ANSP 20239. Ohio River. Rafinesque! (ex Poulson Collection).

Plethobasus cyphyus is called a bullhead by those who think mussels are fish or a sheepnose by others who wish it was a part of a mammal. We prefer to use the lingua franca of scientists, so we go with P. cyphyus.